Facemasks are one of my favourite
indulgent skincare items and since my last facemask post in September, I have
acquired five more! Read on to see what I think of them!
The Huxley Secret of Sahara Good Night
Sleep Mask RRP £24 has featured a couple of times before, most recently in
my K Beauty Favourites. It’s a beautiful, cooling, gel like formula that
contains Pricky pear seed oil, hyaluronic acid and centella asiatica. For an
overnight mask, it feels exceptionally lightweight and absorbs quickly! I was
actually worried that this wouldn’t hydrate my skin enough especially as I
started using it regularly while on Roaccutane when my skin was at its driest
but it delivered every time! My skin feels nourished and I wake up with calm, hydrated,
smooth and plump skin! Bear in mind it is lightly scented – personally this
doesn’t bother me and I love the scent – a subtle floral that reminds me of
something I can’t quite put my finger on!
Sticking with K Beauty and the I’m
From Mugwort Mask RRP £32 also featured in the same post as the Huxley
mask! Forget outfit repeating, I am a product repeater! I love the I’m From
Mugwort Essence so much I just had to pick up the mask to match after hearing
so many good reviews and this really didn’t disappoint either! It’s a super
gentle wash off mask designed for sensitive or irritated skin and it instantly
calms down angry skin taking the redness out! The “bits” you can see are
mugwort pieces but aren’t abrasive at all, the mask feels like gel and spreads
easily! It has an earthy scent and only needs to be on for 5-10 minutes for
skin to feel soothed and calm!
Next up, back to overnight masks and the Lanolips Face Base The Aussie Flyer Jetlag Mask RRP £20(for 60ml - mine is 30ml) which
as well as lanolin also contains coffee to reboot dull skin and mint oil to
restore radiance. This isn’t strongly scented to me nor do I experience any
tingling with it due to the mint oil but it’s something to keep in mind if you
have very sensitive skin! This only needs to be left on for 10 minutes then it
can just be tissued off to get the results but I tend to just leave on
overnight! It leaves my skin feeling plump and hydrated I reviewed it along
with the other Lanolips products in my collection in this round up post!
The newest mask to my collection is the Dermalogica
Melting Moisture Masque* RRP £59 and its quickly become my most used! Containing
shea butter, mango seed butter, linoleic acid and Vitamin E, this is a very
nourishing moisturising mask that transforms from a balm to an oil on contact
with skin and is perfect for dry skin! You just hold the pump to dispense (it
can be quite slow especially if it’s a cold day!) and a pea size amount is
enough for your whole face as a little goes a long way! It melts into an oil
and is like a comfort blanket overnight for skin! I wake up to smooth and
hydrated skin and this would have been perfect while I was on roaccutane! I think
the price is really reasonable too considering its a 50ml and you need so
little each time!
Lastly, I have the Sand&Sky Australian
Pink Clay Porefining Mask* RRP £36.90 (for 60g – mine is 30g) and this one
I have had since before Christmas as it featured in my gift guide however I’ve
only been able to use it within the last month as it contains Vitamin A which
is a no go on Roaccutane (which coincidentally is also Vitamin A lol). Now I’ve
been off it for the last month, I have slowly been introducing this mask and so
far so good! It’s a ten minute mask that uses Australian pink clay to detoxify
and brighten skin, drawing out impurities and refining pores. Now, I am still
on a clear skin high at the minute so haven’t noticed anything in the way of a
clearer complexion but the tingle with this is real and when I remove I do
notice my skin feels smoother and tighter (but not dry), pores look smaller and
my skin looks brighter overall. I think it would work particularly well if you
have oily skin and I can’t wait to test it out more as my skin returns to
normal over the next few months!
So those are the latest five masks to my
collection! If you want to see part one of this series click here! Let me know
if you have tried any of these or what your favourite face mask is!
A couple of months ago I was sent a
generous skincare package from The Inkey List to target my skin brightening
concerns. I think at this point everyone is familiar with The Inkey List and
their straightforward, high quality products at affordable prices so now I have
had time to test, lets chat about the products!
First up, and dare I say it, this is my
favourite along with the 15% Vitamin C serum, the Fulvic Acid Brightening
Cleanser* RRP £10.99. I have fallen in love with this and I like to use it
as a second cleanse or morning cleanser as it leaves my skin feeling soft and
looking more even. As well as fulvic acid to exfoliate, it has Kakadu plum
extract which contains Vitamin C to boost radiance, liquorice root to help deal
with hyperpigmentation and aloe vera to soothe skin. It is very liquidy and a little
goes a long way - I massage this onto damp skin then rinse off. My skin always
looks fresh and bright, doesn’t feel dry or tight and it’s ready for its next
steps. The texture looks like it might be gritty but that isn’t the case at
all, it’s smooth! It’s a generous 150ml size too! I have been reaching for this
every day since I got it and still have loads left!
Next up, another standout for me, the 15%
Vitamin C and EGF Serum* £14.99! I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting much
from this as I have previously tried and did not like the Inkey List’s other
Vitamin C “serum” offering (I found it to be a paste that pilled with every
other product I tried it with!) This however is a true serum to me, it's liquid,
lightweight and sinks in quickly. I find it so hard to get Vitamin C formulas
that aren’t oily or, like I mentioned before, don't pill so this was already in
my good books with its formula! Vitamin C, in this case ascorbyl glucoside,
helps brighten skin and protects from damage caused by environmental pollution
while EGF (epidermal growth factor) is a peptide which promotes collagen
production. I use this mostly in the morning where it works perfectly in my
routine and under makeup too. My skin looks brighter, more even and feels
plumper! The Vitamin C in this isn’t as potent as the Vitamin C serum I
mentioned earlier which contains 30% L-ascorbic acid but like I said that
formula just didn’t work for me so I am getting much more use out of this! I
also love the pump packaging which dispenses the perfect amount of product!
Moving on to the cult Hyaluronic Acid*
RRP £5.99 and I know this is a lot of people’s holy grail hyaluronic! This
is the third or fourth bottle I have gone through and though it’s a lovely
product I do have others I prefer. Hyaluronic Acid attracts moisture and can
hold up to 1000 times its weight in water and I apply this after toning and
misting onto damp skin before the rest of my serums and moisturiser. Hyaluronic
Acid is a godsend for dry or dehydrated skin and helps to plump fine lines and
keep moisture in. This one is a a steal! I don’t love the packaging, I find the
cap gets messy quickly and I have to clean it often so wish it also came with a pump but for the price it’s not a huge deal. Like I said, I have other
hyaluronic acids I do prefer (Hada Labo, NIOD, Good Molecules) as I find them
more effective but this is a nice start!
I was also excited to try the Polyglutamic
Acid* RRP £12.99 which is said to hold 4 times more moisture than
hyaluronic acid so perfect for those needing hydration! Unfortunately, this is
the product I am most disappointed with! It feels lightweight but it’s silicone
heavy so bear that in mind and it’s recommended to apply this as the last step
in your routine before moisturiser or makeup. I personally only use this in the
AM due to the silicones as they are known to be good for priming. When using
this I just don’t see or feel a difference with the hydration in my skin
compared to when I just use hyaluronic acid. My makeup definitely stays on my
skin more evenly throughout the day, my skin looks smoother and again I love
the pump packaging but I was expecting more if I am honest!
Finally, we have the Symbright Moisturiser* RRP £10.99and this one took me a little longer to get on
board with as when I first started using it my skin was a bit drier as I was
still on accutane and this was just not cutting the mustard for me! Now I’ve
been off it for just over a month this has come into its own! It’s a lightweight
moisturiser containing symbright produced through clary sage to brighten and
Kakadu plum extract again to increase radiance and luminosity. Like I said, if
you have dry skin you might want something thicker but for normal/oily people
this is lovely! Again I use this in the AM as I prefer heavier creams and oils
at night time but this works so well under makeup and my skin feels moisturised
all day! I also really like the packaging – it feels a lot sturdier than the
squeezy bottle of the Retinol which is hard to control!
It is worth noting all of these products
have an expiration date of 6 months so will lose their efficacy after that time!
Overall I am impressed, especially with the cleanser and 15% Vitamin C and EGF Serum! If you want to see some more reviews of the Inkey list, check out my review of
their Retinol here and Q10 here!
I’m back with another empties today and I
am much more pleased with my progress this time around! I feel like over the
last couple of weeks everything has seemed to finish around the same time and I
also have some almost empties almost ready so hopefully my next post
won’t be so far away!
Haircare
Schwarzkopf got2b Dry Shampoo
I always enjoy these offerings from
Schwarzkopf! They smell good, leave no white cast or residue and let me get an extra
day out of greasy hair. Have already repurchased and am using the blue version!
I cannot rate this enough – it’s a leave
in, heat protectant treatment that doesn’t weigh my hair down at all, it
strengthens brittle hair and leaves it feeling soft and healthy! My split ends
are a lot less noticeable when I use this and I have already repurchased the
full size! It also featured in my best beauty discoveries of 2020!
Bodycare
Aveeno Daily Moisturising Body Wash
I was lucky enough to get this and the
cream on prescription throughout my course of Accutane. I didn’t repeat the
prescription of this as the bottle was huge and to be honest while I found it
gentle, I preferred my Bioderma shower oil which I will talk about later! Not a
repurchase for me as I generally prefer scented shower gels!
Aveeno Moisturising Cream
This has worked great for me during
Accutane, it hydrates my skin all day long and sinks in quickly! I have a
smaller back up that my aunt got me for Christmas but for now I have moved onto
some other moisturisers in my stash as to be honest, even though I like it, I
am bored of this one - unscented! Full review of the body wash and cream in my
Month Three Accutane diary here!
Obsessed with this, It feels luxurious,
not greasy at all, and creates a mild lather. My skin always felt soft and
nourished after using and this bottle lasted an age as a little goes a long
way. I have a tendency to get dry patches on my legs and this, coupled with
moisturiser, kept those at bay! It’s very lightly fragranced but no scent
lingers and I will be repurchasing once I get through some of my stash in time
for winter again! Full review of it and some other Bioderma products here!
Soap and Glory The Scrub of Your Life
I always enjoy this, Pulp Friction is my favourite
as it lathers more but I prefer the scent of this one. Perfect for getting tan
off and I usually use with an exfoliation mitt! I have two backups of this from
gift sets over the years so no need to repurchase. To be honest, by the time I
do have to repurchase it Soap and Glory will have probably discontinued it like
they did with Pulp Friction and several of my other S&G faves *upside down
smiley face*
Really like this, it’s a lovely,
lightweight cream that sinks in quickly and leaves no greasy residue behind! It’s
very lightly scented and perfect for moisturising my hands after copious
amounts of hand sanitizer while really helping some eczema patches on the back
of my hands! Would repurchase!
This is absolutely beautiful and I loved
the roller ball applicator! The oil is so lightweight and I wake up to soft,
supple skin. The bergamot and neroli scent is gorgeous and not overpowering at
all! The full size is pricey at £49 but I would repurchase this as I loved it!
Skincare
Cerave Hydrating Cleanser
A super simple second/morning cleanser
that I absolutely get the hype with! It’s so gentle and hydrating and I talked
about it more in my best skincare discoveries of 2020! Will repurchase!
I’ll hold my hands up on this one and say
it’s out of date but I couldn’t bear to throw it out without finishing it up!
It smells the same and the formulation is the same but I have been using it on
days I am staying in the house as I know the SPF rating has probably declined
because I have had it so long. I absolutely loved this, it rubs in so easily
leaving no whitecast and works so well under makeup too! I used this all summer
long when I got it and was travelling in America and Canada and it protected my
face so well. It’s expensive at £53 and in hindsight I could use a smaller tube
as I found it difficult to get it all used up as I have other SPF’s
to use too (this is a generous 91g). Anyway the smell makes me so nostalgic now
and I would repurchase tomorrow but I need to use up other said SPF’s first!
See it in this post too!
Dr Jart Ceramidin Cream
Another staple in my skincare collection.
This feels like more of a balm than a standard moisturising cream but never
leaves my skin feeling greasy. It’s packed full of ceramides and hyaluronic
acid and locks hydration in all day. It also sits really well under makeup, I
never have to bother with primer when I use this! The tube lasts forever and is
worth the price, have already repurchased! Full review here in this five things I’m loving post!
January Labs Restorative Tonic Mist
I AM DEVATATED THIS IS FINISHED. This has
been a staple in my skincare routine for the last five years and I have lost
count of how many bottles I have used up! It’s refreshing, hydrating and really
helps with blemishes! Cult Beauty have stopped stocking this and there are no
other UK sellers and I don’t fancy the customs charge so I won’t be
repurchasing right now but if you have access to it, get it! Full review here!
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
I absolutely loved this cleanser! It is
hydrating, makes quick work of removing makeup, turning from a cream to a
lightweight oil and is so affordable! Will repurchase the jumbo size once I
have finished up a few more cleansers! Read more about it in my current cleansers post!
This worked really well for me while on
Roaccutane, it feels lightweight but was hydrating enough for me while my skin
was dried out and worked well under makeup! Its designed especially for people
whose skin has been dried out due to dermatological treatments so this won’t be
a repurchase for me right now as I have finished my course! Full review here!
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
This is the second bottle of this I have
been through now and I really like it! It’s a lightweight, watery serum that
feels cooling and instantly refreshes my under eye area, reducing puffiness and
dark circles. Will repurchase. Full review in this best budget skincare post!
Pixi Jasmine Oil Blend
I hate the smell of this so much I gave
up using it on my face and finished it on my body. I must have an aversion to jasmine
as I don’t love the scent of the limited edition elasticizer I talked about a
couple of weeks ago either! Anyway, it felt like a thick nourishing oil but
this definitely won’t be a repurchase for me!
Loved this! It hydrated and brightened my
undereye and contains ingredients to slow the appearance of aging! I loved
using it especially in the morning as it’s so cooling and helped with
puffiness! I also love the fun, bright packaging! Will repurchase! Full review in this favourites post!
Lanolips 101 Ointment
One of the most nourishing and longlasting
lip balms I have tried! This was a godsend while, you guessed it, on Roaccutane,
and really helped with my chapped lips leaving me with smooth, flake free lips!
Already repurchased and I also talked about it more in this Lanolips focus
post!
Makeup
Revlon ColourStay Foundation
I switched from my usual oily/combo
formula to the dry version and I have to say it just doesn’t quite hit the same! It
still offers full coverage, I just find it doesn’t last as well as I am used to
and I found better foundations to use while my skin was drier (read about my faves here). Won’t repurchase this but will get my oily/combo version in the
future again!
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder
Another favourite and one I have lost
count of how many I have gone through. It mattifies my skin without
drying it out or messing with my foundation, adds subtle extra coverage and a
pot lasts ages! Well worth its price tag but always worth shopping around for
an offer and I already have a backup! Longer review here!
Becca Backlight Priming Filter
This has been a constant in my makeup
collection for the last few years and I love it! I mix to my foundation to add
glow (not glitter) and blur imperfections. I am so sad about Becca ceasing
production and I already had a full size back up of this before they announced
it but I am tempted to pick up another one! Full review in this forever repurchased post here!
IT Cosmetics Brow Power
I am so glad this is finished! Don’t get
me wrong, it’s a great product, the colour match is perfect despite the fact
it's universal taupe (one shade fits all) but this just lasted so bloody long I
got bored and I prefer a thin nib wheras this is oval and thicker. Not a
repurchase for me!
GlamGlow Plumprageous Matte Lip Treatment
This was a lightweight matte “gloss”, not
sticky and had a pleasing mint scent. It tingled a bit but I didn’t notice any
discernible plumping! The packaging is fun but I wasn’t wowed by this and it didn’t
last long on my lips. Not a repurchase for me!
Miscellaneous
Cuticura Hand Sanitiser
Glad this one is finished too, not the
most drying I have tried but not the most hydrating either and I found the
little “pearls” in it didn’t always burst and get absorbed. Won’t repurchase!
Congratulations if you made it to the
end! Let me know if you have tried any of these products and what you thought!
